Prince Hall Affiliation · Convent General · State of Florida

Union Priory
No. 6

Knights York Cross of Honour

Chartered October 18, 2003  ·  Florida  ·  KYCH  ·  PHA

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Our Heritage

The History of Union Priory No. 6

The Origin · 1999–2000

A Dream Takes Root

In the fall of 1999, Brother Michael Steel of Tennessee approached Florida Brethren who held the qualifications for the KYCH to join with Tennessee Brothers and form a Priory for the South. Eight qualified Florida Brothers agreed. On April 7, 2000, nine Brothers from Tennessee and eight from Florida were chartered by Charles Jones, Jr. of John W. Thompson Priory #3 of Illinois, forming Harry J. Spencer Priory #4, KYCH, PHA, Jurisdiction of Tennessee.

The Journey · 2001–2003

Florida Stands on Its Own

Within eighteen months, challenges of travel, meeting dates, and communications led the eight Florida members — after much discussion, soul-searching, and prayer — to request demits from Spencer #4. On January 5, 2002, all eight were accepted into Daniel Frazier Priory #5, New Jersey, Arthur Taylor, Eminent Prior. Their membership grew to seventeen, and a formal request was made to M.E.G.M.G. Willie Mosley to establish a Priory in Florida.

The Founding Moment

October 18, 2003

Florida's dream became reality. The membership of Florida was granted a Charter by the Convent General, witnessed by Leroy Gray #3  ·  Rocky Dallas #4  ·  Leonard Long #5  ·  Willie Mosley #1. The name bestowed: Union Priory No. 6 of Florida, KYCH, PHA.

8
Founding Florida
Members
17
Members at
Chartering
30+
Members
Thereafter
2003
Year
Chartered

Chronicle of the Priory

1999
The Invitation — Bro. Michael Steel of Tennessee invites qualified Florida Brothers to co-found a Southern Priory for the KYCH.
Apr 2000
Harry J. Spencer Priory #4 chartered in Tennessee. Nine TN Brothers and eight FL Brothers united under Charles Jones, Jr., Eminent Prior of Priory #3, Illinois.
Jan 2002
Demits granted from Spencer #4. All eight Florida members join Daniel Frazier Priory #5, New Jersey, Arthur Taylor, Eminent Prior, while working toward a Florida home.
2002–03
Petition to Convent General. Membership grows to 17. M.E.G.M.G. Willie Mosley approves the establishment of a Florida Priory.
Oct 2003
Union Priory No. 6, KYCH, PHA is chartered in Florida — the first of its kind in the state, under Russell Earl as Founding Eminent Prior.
Since
Membership grows to 30+ members, including the M.W.G.M. of Florida, an Imperial Council Line Officer, REGC, GTIM, and MEGHP — a testament to the Priory's stature.

Florida's Original Eight · April 7, 2000

Charter Members · Harry J. Spencer Priory #4 · Tennessee
Knight Godfrey
Lakeland
Knight Gray
Tallahassee
Knight Cobb
Orlando
Knight Earl
Jacksonville
Knight Lewis
Miami
Knight Ferguson
Jacksonville
Knight Bolden
Jacksonville
Knight Ellis
Miami

Eight Florida Knights who planted the seed that would become Union Priory No. 6 — the first KYCH Priory chartered in the State of Florida.

Distinguished Members

Our membership has included the M.W. Grand Master of Florida (Rev.) Dr. Michael Moore, Imperial Council Line Officer Judge Eric Myers, REGC Arthur Mincey, GTIM Albert Cobb, and MEGHP Carl Finnerson.

Brotherly Love  ·  Relief  ·  Truth

I  —  Honor

Chivalric Tradition

Rooted in the ancient orders of Christian knighthood, our Priory preserves the ideals of chivalry, fidelity, and noble conduct that have guided York Rite Masonry across centuries of faithful service.

II  —  Service

Masonic Leadership

The KYCH recognizes those who have presided over all four York Rite Bodies of Prince Hall Masonry — acknowledging that true distinction lies in the quality and dedication of service rendered to the Craft.

III  —  Fidelity

Lifelong Commitment

Union Priory No. 6 is a bond of enduring brotherhood. We gather not merely in ceremony, but in genuine fellowship — sustaining the friendships and obligations that transcend the lodge room itself.

"

Florida's dream became a reality — born of eight Knights, nurtured through perseverance, and chartered in the spirit of unity that gave our Priory its name.

— Russell Earl, Eminent Prior  ·  Union Priory No. 6  ·  Founding History

Past Eminent Priors

Union Priory No. 6 has been guided by distinguished Sir Knights whose leadership has shaped our Priory from its founding in 2004 to the present day. Each name below represents a chapter of excellence in service to Florida Masonry.

13
Past Eminent Priors
20+
Years of Leadership
2004
First Priorship
Sir Knight From To
Russell A. Earl, Sr.
2004
2006
Albert R. Cobb
2007
2008
George Wells
2009
2009
Edward Lewis
2010
2011
Arthur J. Mincey
2012
2013
Henry Puyol
2014
2014
Carl Finerson
2015
2017
Henry Wright
2018
2019
Henry Parker
2020
2021
Lynwood Loper
2022
2023
Rico Merritt
2024
2024
Byron Willis Current
2025

The Path to Knighthood

Requirements

  • Must be a Master Mason in good standing with Prince Hall Masonry
  • Must have received all York Rite degrees (Chapter, Council, Commandery)
  • Must have been duly elected and served at least one year as the presiding officer in a Lodge and all three York Rite Bodies of Prince Hall Masonry
  • Must be in good standing with all bodies and currently out of those chairs at the time of petition
  • Must be recommended by a current Sir Knight of the Priory
  • Must meet the approval of the membership by ballot

What the Cross Represents

The Knight York Cross of Honour is the pinnacle recognition of the York Rite — awarded only to those who have led all four bodies. It is the Craft's acknowledgment that you gave more than you received.

As our founding history shows, Union Priory No. 6 was born of sacrifice, perseverance, and a refusal to let geography extinguish a dream. The Cross you receive carries that story forward.

To inquire about membership or to nominate a qualified Brother, please contact our Eminent Prior or any officer of Union Priory No. 6 of Florida.